Orphans in Ypsilanti: A Car Show of Retired Autos

Orphans are only sad when they are human or animals. Don't shed a tear
for these four-wheeled offspring of since-forgotten motor companies.
The show in Ypsilanti, Michigan, showcases the best of the best that
are out of reach for most buyers - either because they are incredibly
valuable and expensive, or because the owners know they have a rare
find and wouldn't part with them no matter their worth. (Picture to the
left is a 1954 Sunbeam Alpine.)

Some
of the makes that make a showing here every year are Studebakers,
Kaisers, DeSotos, Panhards, Fiats, Renaults, Maxwells, DeVaux, Sunbeam
(no, not the blender), Checker Cars, Edsel, Marcos, and Kalamazoo cars.
It's a crazy bunch! At this year's 11th Annual Orphan Car Show there
wasn't a shortage of all of these makes and more!

The picture to the left is a 1920 Liberty 10B Touring. You might
remember the ridiculous women's marketing attempt by Dode with the
LaFemme vehicle, but have you heard of this Liberty? In front of this
vehicle was a period advertisement that read: "Women who enjoy the use
of a car prefer the Liberty-and they almost always drive it
themselves." Sigh. We can only be glad the advertisers have made such
leaps and bounds (that's heavy sarcasm there).

Well, orphans or not, we love Motor Trends coverage of this show, and be sure to check out their article for even more amazing photos of these beautiful gems! I'll take a Fiat!